2003 Vanier Cup Game Recap

2003 – Laval 14, Saint Mary's 7

Jean-Frédéric Tremblay's 25-yard touchdown catch late in the third quarter broke open a tight defensive battle as the Laval Rouge et Or ended the Saint Mary's Huskies' reign as university football champions with a 14-7 Vanier Cup victory.

The Huskies were looking for a record third consecutive title but were overmatched by a deep and talented Rouge et Or club that kept pushing until Saint Mary's finally broke.

Still, the game was much more competitive than the previous meeting between the rivals this season, when Laval throttled Saint Mary's 49-8 during the regular season in Halifax.

Momentum kept shifting back and forth during the pivotal third quarter, as Laval quarterback Mathieu Bertrand sandwiched a pair of interceptions around a fumble by Huskies running back Les Mullings.

But with 4½ minutes left in the frame, Laval finally grabbed control of the game when Bertrand hit Jean-François Romeo with a 39-yard pass that set up the game’s only touchdown.

Tremblay, a first team all-Canadian wide receiver, broke a tackle on his way into the end zone to put Laval up 12-2, sending the large and boisterous contingent of Rouge et Or fans into a frenzy.

A crowd of 17,828 (in particular the large, enthusiastic and vocal Laval fans) stayed lively throughout the hard-hitting affair, bringing the SkyDome to life by banging thundersticks, waving flags and cheering loudly.